FAQ's

• How do I start to engage your services?

• What kind of insurance do I need?

• What is a Float Plan?

• How do you charge for your service?

• When is payment due?

• What happens if the yacht breaks down in transit?

• How do you communicate with me during the voyage?

• What if there is bad weather during the voyage?

If you have any other question not addressed here please do not hesitate to contact me.

FAQ's answers

• Contact me via email or call any of my contact numbers. I can respond within 12 hours. For more immediate response, call my Cell # 703 622 7649

• Delivery insurance is different from where you will be normally cruising. Using a License Captain will generally reduce this considerably.  The insurance necessary for day-to-day cruising will depend on some of the factors below. It is best to contact several agencies for a quote. I recommend, Mark Collins Agency. He can search out the best prices among several agencies.
  • Is the yacht financed - This is generally the major factor of the type and amount of insurance
  • How broad is your cruising area will also be a factor
  • Is the area prone to hurricanes
  • Salt or fresh water
  • Size and type
     

  

   

• A Float Plan is much the same as a Flight Plan filed by the pilots that details the route, ETA, and other information. I create a Float Plan that tell each the route, the leg distance, the estimated fuel burn, cost, average speed, and contingencies. The plan also serves as a safety feature where if the delivery is not on time and no communication has been received, then the authorities have a place to begin their inquiry. This is presented for approval before the voyage begins.

• My charges are by the professional day (generally 8 hours if alone) My current rate is listed in the Cost section or the Price page.
  • On vessels over 39 feet (12 meters) I require a crew of one. This crewmember rate is 50% of my rate.
  • I do not charge for meals
  • There is no transportation charge if the starting or ending point is within 250 miles of Baltimore. Else the charge is via rental car and/or airline fare to start point.

  

• Payment's of 1/2 of the estimated daily rate (cash or check), plus estimated out of pocket charges for fuel and marinas at contract signing.
  • To the extend the owner accompanies the trip, out of pocket do not apply

  

   

• In-Transit breakdowns are handled in several ways:
  • I carry a set of hand tools and instruments to effect minor repairs, however if..
  • the breakdown is not major or safety related then, at the discretion of the Captain, the plan will be followed with the owners approval as close as possible.
  • Major safety problems to either personal or vessel the voyage stops at the nearest safe harbor, or anchorage, and the owner is immediately contacted for orders.

  

   

• Communication is very important and it is my goal to make communicate -
  • Pre voyage - A Float Plan is delivered and discussed with particular attention to stopovers and contingencies
  • During voyage - A unique service is offered that allows for the owner to connect to the web and be updated to the position of the vessel every ten minutes.  Also, the vessels conditions, such as wind speed/direction, air/water temperature, barometric pressure and other weather related items are updated in real-time via this web site.
  • Post Delivery - A daily is kept of the voyage and a copy given to the owner including a total cost accounting, watch observations, pictures of the journey, repairs, boat handling characteristics, and any other significant event .

  

   

• Bad weather - It is my intention to travel in weather that does not threaten the safety of the vessel or its crew. When the captain determines that it is not safe to travel, the charges for the day are reduced by 1/2 for normal 8 hour travel period of delay. That is to say, if the weather is not cooperation at the start of the day and the Captain determines to wait until it is safe, then those delays at anchor or in port will be charged at the 1/2 day rate.